‘Precious work’ helps take antelopes out of danger
Print Edition
Wildlife officials have welcomed the removal of Tibetan antelopes from the endangered species list, but pledged to continue campaigning.
“Due to effective protection, there are now around 200,000 Tibetan antelopes in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau area, and the population is steadily climbing,” said Shirab, chief of the forestry police in Tibet’s Nagchu Prefecture.
Tibetan antelopes mainly live in western China, in Qinghai Province, and Xinjiang and Tibet autonomous regions. About 80 percent live in Changtang in northern Tibet.
Poachers in search of the antelope’s pelts led to a sharp decline in the 1990s. By early 2000, only 70,000 Tibetan antelopes were left.
A shahtoosh, an ultra-soft shawl woven from yarn made from the animal’s fur, was fetching upward of US$40,000. On average, it takes the hide of three antelopes to make one.
“Protective measures since 2000 have paid off. In 2000, Changtang Nature Reserve was elevated to the national level, creating a protected habitat for the species,” said Drolma Yangzom, the director of wildlife protection at the regional forestry department.
“Thanks to increased funding, we set up more bases, bought specialized vehicles and installed better communication facilities. Wherever the Tibetan antelopes go, we send groups to watch over them,” Yangzom said.
Thanks to the work of about 400 wildlife protection specialists, in the past five years 346 cases of poaching were uncovered and 18 people prosecuted, he said.
“On average, one person has to cover 500 square kilometers,” said forestry official Karma Tsedrub.
“Every winter, the patrol team must spend more than one month in the wild. The living and work conditions are harsh.”
Zongga, deputy forestry chief in Tibet, called for a continuation of the “precious work” that had helped bolster the antelope population.
Though no longer endangered, the antelopes still face threats, such as increased tourism.
“We have to prevent tourism from undoing all the good work of wildlife protection,” Zongga said.
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